Under natural setting, different kind of plants grow in a particular section of land; there are never sections of just one species. Such plants with different ecological niches and functions complement each other and help each other grow. That is why the mono-culturing methods are not considered the best and do not yield healthy plants.
About Companion Planting
Companion Planting is the practice of planting two or more plants together for mutual benefit. Certain plants when grown together help each other meet their nutrient requirements, growth habits or pest repelling abilities.
Gardening is truly a therapy for many but if you plant your garden with little or no thought as to what plant grow better together, it’s time to change that! Read this article to know which complimentary plant pairs grow better together.
Benefits of Companion Planting:
Companion Planting saves space: You can use companion planting to save space and the best way to do so is by panting a vine plant under a tall one. It makes use of the space that would otherwise stay empty. Another way is to plant fast growing crops in between rows of slower growing crops.
Companion Planting can be used to attract pollinators and beneficial insects: Beneficial insects of all sort will be more likely to spend time in and travel throughout your garden if there’s plenty of habitat and food available. Build your know ecosystem in the garden.
It can also decrease the pest issues: It is a proven fact that companion planting can help you to reduce the pest attacks as the pests are mostly host specific and adding different kind of plants will make pests difficult to destroy your crops
It will help keep the weeds out: weeds absorb the nutrient and compete with our crops. With companion planting you can keep the weeds out.
Also Read: Home gardening for beginners
It prevents soil erosion: The plant roots help to hold the soil and prevent soil erosion. By growing companion plants along with your main plants, you are increasing the area under crops and hence reduce the soil erosion.
Companion planting can help with disease issues: Adding different species to the garden can help break up your garden and slow the spread of disease.
Companion Plant Pairs chart:
Try to grow these plants together for better yields:-
|
Main Plant |
Plant with |
Avoid planting with |
|
Asparagus |
Basil, Tomato, Parsley, Marigolds, Peppers |
Onion, Garlic, Potato |
|
Apple |
Garlic, Marigolds |
|
|
Brinjal |
Bean, Capsicum, Potato & Spinach |
Pomegranates, Curry leaves |
|
Carrots |
Radishes, Peas or Sages |
Dill or Anise |
|
Cabbage |
Celery, Onions and potatoes |
strawberries |
|
Corn |
Beans, Sunflower, Squash and Pumpkins |
|
|
Cucumber |
Beans, Cabbage, Corn, Peas or Radishes |
Potatoes |
|
Onion |
Beans, Sprout, Broccoli, Cabbage, Lettuce, Strawberry, Tomato |
Bean, Pea |
|
Spinach |
Celery, Cauliflower, Eggplant |
Leek, Strawberry |
|
Radish |
Pea, Lettuce, cucumber, carrots |
Potatoes |
|
Cauliflower |
Beans, Celery, Oregano |
Nasturitium, Peas, potato, strawberry |
Don't forget to read about: Top 10 gardening hacks that you must know
